Retired NFL QB Steve McNair killed in murder-suicide by 20-year-old woman
Quarterback Steve McNair #9 of the Baltimore Ravens has reportedly been found shot dead in his Nashville home.
Sahel Kazemi was also found at the scene of McNair’s death.
Cops discovered McNair’s bullet-riddled body slumped on a sofa inside his rented condo’s blood-spattered living room, authorities said.
A woman McNair was reportedly dating, identified as Sahel Kazemi, 20, was found dead only a few feet away with a single bullet wound to the head. A gun was lying nearby, Nashville police said.
“At this moment nothing has been ruled out, but as far as actively looking for a suspect tonight, the answer would be no,” Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said.
It remained unclear what might have triggered the slaying, Aaron added.
McNair, 36, who was married and had four children, had reportedly been dating Kazemi for a few months. They met at a Dave & Buster’s restaurant where Kazemi worked, her former boyfriend told the Tennessean newspaper.
Neighbors of Kazemi told the paper they often spotted McNair visiting her apartment. At times, she returned home in a black limousine, and not long ago, she showed up with a brand new Cadillac Escalade she said was a gift from her boyfriend.
“She is the sweetest girl, and she did not deserve this,” Kazemi’s ex-beau, Keith Norfleet, told the newspaper upon learning of her death. “He was making her believe they were going to be together, and everything would be perfect.”
Cops were alerted to the deaths by a longtime friend of the ex-Tennessee Titans great after he walked into the grisly scene about 1:30 p.m.
McNair was spotted returning to his condo about 2 a.m. Saturday, Nashville police said.
Fred McNair, Steve McNair’s oldest brother, said family members likely will travel to Nashville tomorrow to comfort the beloved gridiron star’s wife.
“It’s still kind of hard to believe,” Fred McNair said. “He was the greatest person in the world. He gave back to the community. He loved kids and he wanted to be a role model to kids.”
Authorities said McNair’s wife, Mechelle, was devastated. “Mrs. McNair obviously is very, very distraught by what has taken place,” Aaron said.
McNair and Kazemi were inside a 2007 black Cadillac Escalade, registered to both of them, on Thursday when cops pulled over the vehicle and charged her with driving under the influence, Nashville police said.
Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol on her breath but she refused a Breathalyzer test because “she was not drunk, she was high,” according to the affidavit.
McNair, who recently opened a restaurant in Nashville, was not arrested.
His shocking death prompted a flood of tributes from former coaches, players, NFL execs and even the governor of Tennessee.
“He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans,” Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams said.
“He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl.”
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen also mourned the loss of the man who led the Titans to the Super Bowl 10 years ago.
“Andrea and I were very saddened by the news of Steve McNair’s death,” Bredesen said. “He has always felt like part of the Nashville family, and he will be sorely missed.”
The hard-nosed QB played 13 seasons in the NFL before retiring from the league last April.
A three-time Pro Bowl pick, “Air” McNair played college football at Alcorn State before joining the Houston Oilers as the third overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft.
McNair played 11 seasons with the Titans, who moved from Houston, leading the team to the Super Bowl in 1999. The Titans lost that game in heartbreaking fashion when McNair completed a pass near the St. Louis Rams’ goal line in the contest’s waning seconds, but receiver Kevin Dyson failed to cross the line.
McNair was the co-MVP of the league in 2003, sharing the award with Peyton Manning. That year, McNair threw for 3,215 yards and 24 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
McNair played his final two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Mississippi native led the Ravens to a 13-3 record in 2006. But he injured his groin during the season opener in 2007 and never regained his Pro Bowl form. He retired last April.
“He was a tremendous leader and an absolute warrior,” said New England Patriots senior football adviser Floyd Reese, who was GM of the Titans when McNair played there. “He felt like it was his responsibility to lead by working hard every day, no matter what.”
Samari Rolle, who played with McNair on the Ravens and Titans, described him as the perfect football player. “If you were going to draw a football player, the physical part, the mental part, everything about being a professional, he is your guy,” Rolle said. “I can’t even wrap my arms around it. It is a sad, sad day. The world lost a great man today.”
In June, McNair opened a restaurant near the Tennessee State University campus called Steve McNair’s Gridiron9.
“I always wanted to retire and teach kids about life, and I’m still doing that with my camps,” McNair told the Tennessean last week. “This is something that I can still give back to the community.”
